Accessory for hands-free use of a mobile communicator

ABSTRACT

An accessory for a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone having a mouthpiece and speaker, to enable hands-free operation. The accessory comprises a bracket configured to receive and retain a mobile communication device, and an ear loop mounted to the bracket, such that when a mobile communication device is retained in the bracket, the mobile communication device may be held in operating proximity of a user&#39;s ear and mouth by placing the ear loop over the user&#39;s ear. The ear loop may be rotatable between a deployed and retracted position. In use, the ear loop is hooked over the user&#39;s ear, holding the communication device within operating proximity of the user such that the user can carry on a conversation using the communication device without using his or her hands to hold the device in place.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices, and more particularly to devices for hands-free operation of a mobile communication device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people carry about mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones, as they engage in other activities. Mobile communication devices typically require the use of the user's hands, not only to operate the device, but also to hold the device in position against the user's ear. Often when engaged in conversation with another party using the mobile device, the user wishes to have both hands available for other activities. However, this is typically not possible because one hand is needed to hold the mobile device near the user's ear. Furthermore, a growing number of jurisdictions have enacted law prohibiting the use of handheld cellular telephones and communication devices while driving a motor vehicle.

It is possible to convert a mobile communication device to a hands-free unit by attaching specialized headphones or earphones to the device. An example of a specialized earphone is the ear bud, which is sized to fit in the outer canal of the user's ear without the need for a headband. When a telephone call is received on the mobile communication device, the user can insert the ear buds or put on the headphones, then answer the call. If a telephone call is made, the user first inserts the ear buds or puts on the headphones, then makes the call. Headphones and earphones are undesirable or uncomfortable to some users. When a call is received on a cell phone, for example, the user must either allow the cell phone to keep ringing while the earphones are engaged, or interrupt the phone conversation to insert the earphones; alternatively, the user must wear the headphones or earphones even when no call is in progress.

It is therefore desirable to provide an accessory for holding a mobile communication device near the user's ear, in the appropriate position for carrying on a conversation via the device, while freeing the user's hands but without the use of headphones or earphones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an accessory for a mobile communication device having a mouthpiece and speaker is provided. The accessory comprises a bracket configured to receive and retain a mobile communication device and an ear loop mounted to the bracket, such that when a mobile communication device is retained in the bracket, the mobile communication device may be held in operating proximity of a user's ear and mouth by placing the ear loop over the user's ear.

A further aspect of the invention is that the ear loop is rotatably mounted to the bracket such that it can be moved between a retracted and a deployed position. The ear loop may furthermore be doglegged to fit around the user's ear.

Yet another aspect of the invention is that the bracket comprises a crosspiece and flanges disposed at either end of the crosspiece, such that the mobile communication device may be snap-fit into and retained by the bracket. In a further aspect, at least one interior surface of the bracket is lined with a rubber or texturized material. In an alternate aspect, the bracket comprises two cooperating members in sliding engagement to each other so as to be adjustable to fit the width of a mobile communication device, and a first of the cooperating members is provided with serrations, and a second of the cooperating members is provided with a pawl, the serrations and the pawl cooperating to positively retain a mobile communication device within the bracket.

In a further aspect, the bracket comprises a cage for retaining the mobile communication device, the cage comprising at least four walls for retaining a mobile communication device within the bracket. In another embodiment, at least one of the four walls comprises a flange for retaining a mobile communication device in the bracket, and optionally at least one of the four walls comprises a flexible, transparent layer through which the keypad of a mobile communication device is accessible when the mobile communication device is disposed within the cage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory for hands-free use of a mobile communication device mounted on a cellular telephone with the loop in a deployed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1, with the loop in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the bracket of the accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bracket of the accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the bracket;

FIG. 7 is a further embodiment of the accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the mobile device attachment is shown and described in relation to a cellular telephone, the shape and configuration of which is known in the prior art. A cellular telephone 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1, is provided with a front face 110 which typically presents a display 120 and keypad 130 to the user. A speaker 140 and microphone or mouthpiece 150 are provided at or near opposing ends of the cell phone 100, frequently on the front face 110 as shown, although the speaker 140 and microphone 150 need not be provided in the exact locations depicted in FIG. 1.

In the preferred embodiment, the mobile device accessory comprises two principal components, an ear loop 10 and a bracket 20. The bracket 20 is provided with two flanges 24, 26 disposed at either end of the bracket 20. The length of the flanges 24, 26 is generally sized to fit around the sides of a typical cell phone; preferably, the flanges 24, 26 are curved, thus providing a rim 25, 27 that rests on the face 110 of the cell phone 100, thus retaining the cell phone 100 within the bracket 20. The rims 25, 27 may also be disposed at an angle to the flanges 24, 26. Preferably, the rims 25, 27 and flanges 24, 26 are integrally formed of the same material.

On the outside faces of the flanges 24 and 26, respectively, are connectors 28 (shown in FIG. 1) and 30 (not shown). An ear loop 10 is attached to the bracket 20 at connectors 28, 30; preferably, the connectors 28, 30 allow the ear loop 10 to swivel around an almost 180-degree arc between a retracted position, shown in FIG. 2, and the deployed position shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the ear loop 10 is formed of thin plastic, leather-like synthetic or similar material. The loop 10 has a generally U-shape with a bend or dogleg 12 formed in the legs of the loop 10, and is of sufficient length to hook over the user's ear when in the deployed position. Also preferably, the ear loop is sufficiently thin so as to fit comfortably behind the user's ear when deployed and in use.

If the loop 10 is intended to be swivelled between the deployed and retracted position, then the end pieces of the loop 10 are mounted to the connectors 28, 30 using jointed means, such as a hinge, ball and socket joint, a screw-type joint, or other pivot joint. The joint then preferably provides sufficient friction between the cooperating portions of the connectors 28, 30 and the loop 10 so that while the joint can be manipulated by the user through the application of force, it withstands the effect of the weight of the cell phone 100 when the cell phone 100 is mounted in the bracket 20 and suspended by the loop 10. In a further embodiment, the loop 10 and the bracket 20 are joined in fixed relation to each other, such that the loop 10 is always in the deployed position.

The bracket 20 may be formed of a sufficiently resilient material, such as plastic, to allow a cell phone 100 to be snap-fit between the flanges 24, 26, provided the material has sufficient rigidity to support the cell phone 100 as described below. If the cell phone 100 is not snap-fit between the flanges 24, 26, but the bracket 20 is rather provided with resizing means to accommodate variations in cell phone dimension, then the bracket 20 may be formed of more rigid material that is not as resilient, including plastics and metals.

In one embodiment of a resizable bracket 20, the bracket 20 is provided in two portions with cooperating attachment means, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. A serrated member 40 is edged with integrally formed serrations 44 along its side edges. The serrations 44 extend from the distal end 46 from the flange 24, to a point between the flange 24 and the distal end 46. The pawled member 50 is provided with a lip 52 provided along either edge of the member 50, extending between the distal end 56 and the flange 26. Pawls 58, shown in phantom in FIG. 5, are disposed within the pawled member 50. The pawls 58 are fixed to the pawled member 50 at a first end 61, and the second end 62 of the pawls 58 protrudes through an aperture 64 in the sides of the pawled member 50.

The pawls 58 are preferably spring-biased such that when the serrated member 40 is inserted into the pawled member 50, the pawls 58 can be engaged between adjacent teeth on the serrations 44, and secure the pawled member 50 and the serrated member 40 in relation to each other by biasing the pawls 58 against the serrated edges 44. Thus, when the serrated member 40 is inserted into the pawled member 50, the pawls 58 bias against the serrated edge, preventing the serrated member 40 from being retracted from the pawled member 50. The serrated member 40, however, may be deliberately removed from engagement with the pawls 58 by retracting the pawls 58 by pulling the second ends 62 outwards and away from the serrated edges 44, thus releasing the serrations 44 and allowing the serrated member 40 to be withdrawn.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner surfaces 29, 31 of the flanges 24, 26 and optionally the inner surface 51 of the pawled member 50 may be lined with a rubber or texturized material to securely grip the cell phone 100 when it is in place within the accessory.

In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 20 may be comprised of a male portion 40 and a female portion 50; the female portion 50 is provided with flanges 52 which receive the male portion 40 in slot described by the flanges 52 and the inner surface 51 of the female portion 50. Apertures 53 provided in the sides of the female portion 50 receive the ends of a clasp 70, which is spring-biased against the inner surface 51 of the female portion 50. When the male portion 40 is inserted in the female portion 50, the tang 72 of the clasp 70 retains the male and female portions in fixed relation to each other. Preferably, the interior surface of the female portion 50 and optionally the surface of the male portion 40 in contact with the female portion 50 is roughened or crenulated to provide additional friction to retain the portions in position in relation to each other.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the serrated member 40 may be provided without serrations 44, and the pawled member 50 without pawls 58; in other words, the member 40 may simply slide into the member 50, and be held in place using a hook-and-loop fastener (such as Velcro™) disposed on the outer surfaces 42, 32 of the members 40, 50.

Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the invention consists of a basket or cage 60 for holding the cell phone 100 and mounted to an ear loop 10, as described earlier. The basket preferably is provided with one or more cutouts 65 in the front surface 66 so that the display 120, number pad 130, and microphone 150 are accessible to the user; the cage 60 may be provided with a transparent, flexible layer, for example formed of PVC (not shown) that extends across the cutout 66 to protect the display 120 and/or the number pad 130 from damage. In the embodiment with a removed front surface, elastic straps 67 stretched across the surface of the cell phone can be used to maintain the cell phone in the basket. The basket is preferable made of plastic, leather or other similar material.

In use, the accessory is removably attached to the body of the cell phone 100. In the case of a bracket 20 that is not adjustable, the body of the cell phone 100 is simply snap-fit into the bracket 20; if the bracket 20 is adjustable, then the cell phone 100 is placed against the inner surface 51 of the bracket 20, and the serrated and pawled portions of the bracket 40, 50 are engaged until the flanges 24, 26 contact the sides of the cell phone 100. Alternatively, in the embodiment of a cage or basket 60, the cell phone is inserted into the cage or basket and the elastic 67 maintains the cage or basket in position. The cell phone 100 is thus secured by the bracket 20. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a flip-style cell phone 100 may be used in conjunction with the bracket embodiment of the accessory device; the bracket 20 may be positioned on the body of the phone 100 so that it does not obstruct the operation of a flip-down panel.

When the user wishes to make or receive a call, once a connection has been made and the user is ready for conversation, the loop 10 is rotated to the deployed position (if necessary) so that it extends generally in the direction of the end of the phone 100 with the speaker 140. It can be seen, with reference to FIG. 1, that the dogleg 12 in the loop 10 spaces the loop 10 from the front face 110 of the cell phone 100; this provides sufficient space between the loop 10 and the front face 110 to allow the user to hook the loop 10 over the ear. The loop 10, being mounted to the bracket 20 by the connectors 28, 30, thus holds the cell phone 100 generally in the appropriate position for carrying on a telephone conversation, while freeing the user's hands for other activities. The precise angle of the loop 10 with respect to the bracket 20 and cell phone 100 may be adjusted by the user as necessary to maintain an adequate distance between the user's mouth and the microphone 150. When not in use, the ear loop 10 may be rotated to the retracted state, as shown in FIG. 2.

When the cell phone 100 is not in use, or if the cell phone 100 has speakerphone capabilities, it may be suspended using the ear loop 10 from any suitable hook or protuberance for use in an automobile or for storage purposes.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the mobile device accessory may be adapted to fit other configurations of mobile devices that are used for telephonic communication. Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An accessory for a mobile communication device having a mouthpiece and speaker, the accessory comprising: a bracket configured to receive and retain a mobile communication device; an ear loop mounted to the bracket; such that when a mobile communication device is retained in the bracket, the mobile communication device may be held in operating proximity of a user's ear and mouth by placing the ear loop over the user's ear.
 2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the ear loop is rotatably mounted to the bracket such that it can be moved between a retracted and a deployed position.
 3. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the ear loop is doglegged to fit around the user's ear.
 4. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises a crosspiece and flanges disposed at either end of the crosspiece, such that the mobile communication device may be snap-fit into and retained by the bracket.
 5. The accessory of claim 4 wherein at least one interior surface of the bracket is lined with a rubber or texturized material.
 6. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises two cooperating members in sliding engagement to each other so as to be adjustable to fit the width of a mobile communication device.
 7. The accessory of claim 6 wherein a first of the cooperating members is provided with serrations, and a second of the cooperating members is provided with a pawl, the serrations and the pawl cooperating to positively retain a mobile communication device within the bracket.
 8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a cage for retaining the mobile communication device, the cage comprising at least four walls for retaining a mobile communication device within the bracket.
 9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein at least one of the four walls comprises a flange for retaining a mobile communication device in the bracket.
 10. The accessory of claim 8, wherein at least one of the four walls comprises a flexible, transparent layer through which the keypad of a mobile communication device is accessible when the mobile communication device is disposed within the cage. 